Friday, December 6, 2013

Still undecided about purchasing an iPhone 5s? Check out this video review of the new model and see if the new features are what you're looking for. Remember to check out our selection of iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c models in our Bytes 4U section.

Apple is still maintaining a tight grip on its supply of
iPad Minis with Retina Display. The much coveted device is still not available
in carrier stores, and this could be because the Cupertino company does not
feel its supply chain is strong enough to maintain the demand in carrier
stores, as well as in Apple’s own direct customer base.

As of this morning (Friday, December 6), Verizon still has
the iPad Mini with Retina Display backordered all the way out till December 16th.
AT&T is not looking any better with its 21-28 day waiting period when the
tablet is ordered online. Neither of the carriers has offered any information
as to when the iPad Mini with Retina Display would actually be in their brick
and mortar stores, according to CNET. T-Mobile has not yet given a date as to
when the iPad Mini with Retina Display would be available. The company’s
website simply says that it will be “available for shipment soon.” Apple’s
direct availability of the tablet has seemed to improve in recent days, as the
waiting period is now listed as 5-7 days, rather than the 5-10 days that had
been listed last week.

The cellular models of the iPad Mini with Retina Display are
now available for walk in purchases in some Apple retail stores in the U.S.,
although Verizon and AT&T still do not have the tablet.

Apple’s launch of the iPad Mini with Retina Display was
uncharacteristically quiet, with the tablet being launched on the company’s
website at midnight, and with no public announcement. This is probably due to
supply constraints, which do indeed seem to be plaguing the carriers. The new
iPad Mini with Retina Display is one of the most sought after holiday gift
items this year.

While Verizon and AT&T may not have any of the devices for
sale, Tiny Apple Bytes does have available devices. To get your iPad Mini with
Retina Display from Tiny Apple Bytes, simply visit our Bytes 4U page and select
the model you want!

In July Judge Denise Cote of the New York federal district
court passed a conviction down on the iPad, claiming that it was a part of a
conspiracy to increase e-book prices. This doesn’t really seem to make sense on
the surface, as the tablet actually caused e-book prices to drop when it
entered the market in 2010. Consumers were able to choose more freely where
they would purchase their e-books, and the competition subsequently caused a price
reduction.

The judge appointed a personal friend, Michael Bromwich, as
a monitor of the situation. However, Bromwich used his position to rip
into the Cupertino based tech giant. His role in the mess following the lawsuit
is rather scandalous, as he is billing Apple $1,100 per hour to investigate the
company. Oh, and as if that’s not enough, he has also called in a second law
firm to help ensure he gets the job done right because he has no experience in
this area. The first two weeks of his investigation landed Apple a bill for
$138,432.40.

Bromwich has asked for meetings with all of Apple’s upper
echelon, including Tim Cook and Jony Ive, presumably to pump them for
information. Judge Cote also wants Bromwich to meet with her every month and hand
over detailed reports of what he has found without having an Apple attorney
present at the meeting. The WSJ says this is completely unconstitutional.

The editorial column in the Journal says, "Special
masters are typically imposed on a company to remedy a pattern of especially
egregious conduct using a settlement consent decree in which litigants agree to
the terms of the appointment. Judge Cote foisted Mr. Bromwich on Apple over its
objections, to punish the company for what she ruled was price-fixing when the
late Jobs tried to alter the payment structure of e-books in December 2009 and
January 2010."

Judge Cote has withdrawn her request for private meetings
with Bromwich after Apple loudly voiced its objections. However, the Journal
says that withdrawing the request is not enough.

"The Second Circuit where her ruling is on appeal
should remove her from the case. Her condominium with Mr. Bromwich is offensive
to the rule of law and a disgrace to the judiciary.”

What do you think? Is this a gross abuse of power for a
judge to place a personal friend in charge of a massive investigation, then try
to gain information without both parties present? Tell us what you think in the
comments below.